Yoga Folks discussion

Hi all:

So sorry these prompts are later than expected. I'm in the thick of writing the sequel to my novel Downward Dog, Upward Fog, and it's taken over my life!

Either not many people who thought they might have time to read this book were able to do so, or people started the book and, perhaps finding it too basic or whatever, put it down. (If this is you and you haven't read to the end, I'd like to hear why.) I appreciate those few of you who have read the whole book with us!

Although I'm a longtime, fairly regular meditator, and this book was geared more towards beginners, I got some good tips from this book. My own sitting meditations tend to be routine--breath watching, focusing on my body's position on the chair or floor, internal body energy scan--so this book helped me expand my ideas of what I might focus on. I did do some of the guided meditations throughout the book, and I enjoyed them. Although I thought Dan Harris was a little whiney and too self-obsessed for me to love him or the book completely, I did enjoy it pretty well. I'm giving it four stars.

Here are some prompts from the last third and the overall book. As always, feel free to either answer some/all of the questions or just riff on your own about your thoughts.

1) The chapter "If I Get Too Happy I'll Lose My Edge" focuses on people's concerns that they will lose their mental sharpness, toughness, or creativity if they meditate regularly. Did you have any fears like this before you started meditating? Did you find meditation hurt these or other traits, or has it helped them?

2) The meditation "Surf the Urge" in this chapter, meant to be done on the fly for a few minutes, is about pausing and breathing and mentally exploring an urge to do something before you act. I loved this meditation, because so much of every day is about reacting. Anybody try it or is incorporating it in their day?

3) The next chapter is "__Is My Meditation." I've long heard people say that running, gardening, watching TV, taking a bath, petting their dog, etc is their meditation. I've never known how to answer that. I liked that this chapter made the distinction about when those things are meditations and when they aren't. (They are when you are knowingly paying attention to what you're doing and, when your mind wanders, constantly bringing it back.) Do you have something you consider your meditation beyond a formal practice? If so, how do you keep it from losing its meditative purpose?

4) Jeff talks about the similarities between meditation and things that bring us satisfaction in life. He notes that when you improve your concentration, equanimity, compassion, clarify and mindfulness--the skills use learn in meditation--you've mastered the important skills of life. Do you agree? How has your overall life benefited from your meditation practice?

5) Have you done formal walking meditations as mentioned here? What about the informal meditations--turning everyday walking into a meditation? I personally adore walking meditations, whether formal or informal, and try to walk meditatively whenever I am walking solo.

6) Chapter 9, "I Can't Keep It Going," is something everyone can no doubt relate to. How do you indeed keep your practice going? Do you have a set time and place? Ways of inspiring yourself?

7) When you started meditating, did you expect it to have immediate results in your life, and, if it didn't, were you disappointed? I was struck by Dan admitting in this chapter that he worried no one would show up to their last lecture at Wanderlust, and that he was already feeling nostalgic for the bus tour before the end--two not-mindful thoughts--thereby demonstrating that meditation can make your focus and equanimity better, but it will never make them perfect.

8) Dan quotes meditation teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn saying "meditation is not about feeling a certain way. It's about feeling the way you feel." What do you think about this idea?

9) For Type As like Dan, Jeff introduces a "Doing Nothing" meditation, where, once you've gotten your focus on your breath, you let go and just watch what happens ("letting passivity and spontaneity rule here--you are being meditated"). I point this out because I know many Type A people--and I have the tendency toward that myself--so this could be worth exploring.

10) What did you think about the book overall? What did you most like? Least like? Are you glad you read it?

Any suggestions for the next group book?

XO
Meryl

1) The chapter "If I Get Too Happy I'll Lose My Edge" focuses on people's concerns that they will lose their mental sharpness, toughness, or creativity if they meditate regularly. Did you have any fears like this before you started meditating? Did you find meditation hurt these or other traits, or has it helped them?

I had read about so many business people using meditation for balance, that I thought this was a very natural thing to start doing. Once I started I felt more clear and I also seem to get more done during the day when I meditate early.


3) The next chapter is "__Is My Meditation." I've long heard people say that running, gardening, watching TV, taking a bath, petting their dog, etc is their meditation. I've never known how to answer that. I liked that this chapter made the distinction about when those things are meditations and when they aren't. (They are when you are knowingly paying attention to what you're doing and, when your mind wanders, constantly bringing it back.) Do you have something you consider your meditation beyond a formal practice? If so, how do you keep it from losing its meditative purpose? Learning from Eckhart Tolle to be as present as possible in each moment. I think quiet activities such as gardening, painting, washing dishes, or doing other chores can be meditative. Opportunity to stop mindless thinking and be completely with the task at hand.

5) Have you done formal walking meditations as mentioned here? What about the informal meditations--turning everyday walking into a meditation? I personally adore walking meditations, whether formal or informal, and try to walk meditatively whenever I am walking solo.
I also enjoy walking meditations. I find I can be more meditative outdoors walking than indoors. Indoors, I need to do something to keep a focus, or my mind wanders to what I could be doing, usually chores, instead of walking.

6) Chapter 9, "I Can't Keep It Going," is something everyone can no doubt relate to. How do you indeed keep your practice going? Do you have a set time and place? Ways of inspiring yourself?
Honestly, I may stop for a few weeks, but I always come back. I can feel myself being edgy, fidgety, not grounded when I don't meditate or do yoga.

7) When you started meditating, did you expect it to have immediate results in your life, and, if it didn't, were you disappointed? I was struck by Dan admitting in this chapter that he worried no one would show up to their last lecture at Wanderlust, and that he was already feeling nostalgic for the bus tour before the end--two not-mindful thoughts--thereby demonstrating that meditation can make your focus and equanimity better, but it will never make them perfect.
I don't remember thinking it would have immediate benefit. I do remember wondering if the benefits would show up for me. I noticed the benefit of meditating more when I don't do it. I am definitely calmer when I practice. I don't think we should ever expect perfect.

8) Dan quotes meditation teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn saying "meditation is not about feeling a certain way. It's about feeling the way you feel." What do you think about this idea?
I remember reading this and thinking this a good quote. I benefit when I can quiet myself enough to feel what is going on with my body or emotions and be curious or sit with the emotion itself. This works for me when I've had a taxing day or feeling nostalgic. Sometimes there is nothing going on and it feels good to think, I feel good today.

10) What did you think about the book overall? What did you most like? Least like? Are you glad you read it?
Yes, glad I read it. I enjoy reading and hearing about other people's journeys and how they managed through. I liked that the reader was much of the reason for the book and the present moment meditations were interesting.

Suggestions for future reads,
The Yoga of Max's Discontent, The Yoga Zapper, Balancing Acts.

Kris wrote: "1) The chapter "If I Get Too Happy I'll Lose My Edge" focuses on people's concerns that they will lose their mental sharpness, toughness, or creativity if they meditate regularly. Did you have any ..."

Thanks for your thoughtful insights, Kris. Your comment about indoor or outdoor meditations made me realize I too typically do walking meditations outdoors. I do them indoors sometimes, but typically in large places like malls. You've inspired me to think about meditating when I'm walking a short distance, like just across my house from one room to another. I tend to be in my head, thinking about why I'm going to that room and what I will do there. I'm challenging myself to work on those walking moments and make them more meditative. Thanks!

Kris wrote: "Suggestions for future reads,
The Yoga of Max's Discontent, The Yoga Zapper, Balancing Acts."

I'm not familiar with The Yoga Zapper, so I will check that out. We did read The Yoga of Max's Discontent--most of us were a little disappointed with that book--and Balancing Acts, while a really good book, in my opinion, came out so long ago I think many of our members who like yoga fiction have already read it.

Thanks so much for the ideas!

I felt the book had some good ideas in general to add to any mindfulness practice. However, it's definitely geared more towards new meditators. Can't wait to see what we're reading next!

Thanks for playing, Kandice! If you have suggestions for the next book, do let us know.